Doorways of Chicago - by Ronnie Frey (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

Doorways of Chicago offers a new and colorful photographic tour of one of the world's most exciting cities

With more than 100 photographs of Chicago's most iconic and unique doorways from Ronnie Frey, creator of the popular Instagram account of the same name, Doorways of Chicago presents an entirely new way to explore the city. With a keen eye for detail and a deep love for Chicago's layered architectural history, Ronnie sees the city differently, and his photos highlight more than just doors and buildings--he captures atmosphere, memory, and soul. His photographs feature doorways, cornices, arches, and façades--details many overlook.

Including images from more than 40 distinct neighborhoods, including Bronzeville, Uptown, Lincoln Park, and Gold Coast, as well as stories about ten of the most iconic doorways, Doorways of Chicago offers a unique way to see the city that will inspire readers to appreciate the beauty that is around every corner, in every doorway.

About the Author

Ronnie Frey is the creative visionary behind the popular Instagram account @doorwaysofchicago, a visual archive that elevates the mundane into the magnificent. What began as a spontaneous photograph of a small, bright blue door in the UK has grown into a full-fledged artistic journey. On his first trip to England, a vivid door in a prison-like stone wall near the Royal Citadel in Plymouth stopped him cold. Despite jet lag and rain, he returned alone, umbrella flipping inside out, determined to capture it.

Back in Chicago, he began seeing the city differently. On lunch breaks, he wandered historic neighborhoods, snapping doorways, cornices, arches, and façades. From the gritty to the pretty, nothing is too ordinary to catch his attention. Within a few months, @doorwaysofchicago was born. As a walking tour guide and historic storyteller, he brings that same passion to the streets of Chicago, leading groups through Wicker Park, the Loop, and Old Town.

Now based in a studio inside the landmark Fine Arts Building, Ronnie draws inspiration from his surroundings--a place where artistry, legacy, and creative energy meet. His work is a meditative practice, an act of urban preservation, and a joyful celebration of the beauty hiding in plain sight.